Pellet heads!! What's up today?

My main concern is the jump back to American manufacture after 35 years. Mazda, Subaru and Honda for me since my early 20's and not one of them had an issue other than maintenence. Lets hope Chbbie can be as reliable but not holding my breath.

 

I have had the take it slow speech how's about the pedal to the metal speech.

 

Jeanne wonders about any new vehicle the other one was 16yo and still running.

 

This Bud's for you !!

Also a nod to the late great Eddie Van halen here

 

My honda was 11 years old and running as well-never once let me down in any way. Theres a nagging feeling there that I should have kept it for when the Chevy dont run

 

Sammy still belting it out and playing guitar as great as ever at age 71-

Saw this concert last year and he still has it all going on
That's Jason Bonham on drums and Michael Anthony on bass with Vic Johnson on guitar-awesome lineup !!

 

Welcome back Gbreda. Nice new ride. I wanted a new/used truck but finances say not now. Have you considered or have you already purchased a rust inhibitor system ?
I have been reading about NHOU systems. Sounds great to me. My 08 silverado still rins well at 165k miles, but rust has killed it. If I get another truck it will have a robust rust killer.


Doggy

 

Thanks Doggy

Mid size trucks are out of control in what they are getting for them now. Half tons are not much more $$ but they dont fit in the garage and we already have a 2019 Sierra 6' bed (that's my better half's replacement of her 2008 Avalnche-we tend to keep our vehicles at least 10 years) so I dont need another big truck.

I was very hesitant on buying now as well but I wanted something to get me out of the funk and figured I'd use a little of what we got from selling our family home after dad passed away last November. The house sold in April after only 5 days on the market. I was leaving those funds alone as I have no other real retirement funds but used a small amount for some down payment.

Very happy with the ZR2 as its fun as hel l to drive. I test drove a used 2020 Ridgline and hated it-they took anything trucklike out of it. If I want an car or SUV, I'll buy a car or SUV. Although I do miss the dual function tailgate ALOT- all midsize trucks should have that. The Sierra has the new GMC multi tailgate-awesome option right there! Especially for those of us getting older and have failing joints.

I have looked at NHOU and going to talk with someone about it when I pick up my tonneau cover next week-same place does NHOU applications as well. Also considering paint protection as we found with our 2019 Sierra, the current paint suks-chips and scratches easily.

 

Well, that place in Concord has to pay for that new lot they are putting in somehow. That back lot has always been jam packed. I remember in 2009, when I was looking to offload my POS Xterra, we went looking back there and it was almost impossible to walk between the vehicles. Seemed to be pretty high prices then too.

Yeah, when you get ready to walk, they usually change their tune about "we can't do that", although at times they haven't, until a day or two later when I got a call. It's basically a game of chicken.

That was nice trade in that they gave you. I really don't care if it is the price that comes down, or the trade in that goes up, as long as the final price is in the ballpark of what I'm willing to spend. I don't know how it's all figured on taxes (trade ins can be tossed as a loss sometimes, but can't be ginormous compared to what it is "worth").

 

Went by the local TSC yesterday and they are full of pellets. Surprisingly it looks like they have tons and tons of Natures Own in their own bags, when previously they have had MWPs in the generic bag.

 

New guy here... I did not see a welcome page to introduce my self, but I'm using pellets now instead of cordwood so here I am.

I tried a forum on fakebook but it is dominated by a few omnipotent big fish in a little pond types that seem to rule the roost, so after quickly learning there was no room for any sort of differing opinion or polite discussion, I quit that. Not here to expound my self proclaimed expertise, just listen and learn, help if I can...

Stove #1, our first pellet stove was purchased 6 years ago, a PP130 from Tractor Supply. After the initial wonderment wore off, the shortcomings quickly became apparent (lack of control, burn pot setup). I'm an old soul in a lazy lackluster modern world. I have been building industrial machinery for more decades than I care to think, and I do not need any machine to "think for me". So anyway I have been semi looking for a better replacement for some time now (see stove #3)

Stove #2, Enviro Mini purchased last summer for $600, if I recall correctly it is 7/8 years old. Bought used in decent mechanical shape, but poor maintenance. I tore it completely apart, repainted, replaced all the gaskets, thermal sensors needed, re-greased the auger gearbox and re-shimmed the armatures, oiled the motor bearings (10-30 synthetic) etc... you get the idea. It is in an unheated part of the house and I absolutely love it. It is so nice to have full control of the air and fuel. I can fine tune to make any pellet burn cleanly.

Stove #3 purchased last weekend, 05' Lopi Yankee PS for $500. This is destined to replace the PP130 shortly. It was sitting in the corner of a living room and obviously saw very little use. However it appears that rain was running down their chimney into the ex blower, so the blower is completely rusted out. It took me a bit to find a reasonably priced replacement, and it is the large blower which is harder to find (naturally). I'm in the process of going through it now (you know the drill), but should be done soon, just waiting for stuff to show up. I'm very much looking forward to get it up and running.

At that point it will go in the basement, and the PP130 will go in the garage to replace the FHA oil furnace. That's about it for now, I have other topics to discuss later concerning pellets, especially supply, but I have to get off my butt and get to work now.

Cheers, GH

 

Welcome to the madness, GHinNH

As for the stoves you have, the Mini is a great stove and very quiet. And the Lopi is made by Travis......I had an Avalon Astoria that was a great stove, not a single issue, and I bought that used in'09 (it was an '07).....just a solid, simple, easy to tune & clean stove that put out a lot of heat.

One note about the motor bearings.......multi-weight oils are not the recommended lubricant. A straight, 20w non-detergent oil is the best. Most members here use 3-in-1 in the Blue can that's made for elect. motors, or Anderol.

Good luck with the "new" stove, and keep us up-to-date on how it burns.

PS I see the dogs have found their warm spots. LOL

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks, they do indeed.
I guess I should clarify, by bearings I meant the bronze bushings with the felt wicks. I use 10/30 synthetic for the higher temp properties, and cause that's what I have for my truck and I'm cheap...For the few drops it takes, I will look for the a single weight synthetic alternative.

As far as bearings go, I keep a supply of the two or three sizes needed on hand for mid winter whirly noises. I replace shielded bearings with Viton sealed bearings.
Another thing about the pelpro is the exhaust bearings run horizontally, so the first time it gets warm the grease liquefies and runs out of shielded bearings.
I usually have to replace them mid winter every year, but it will make a fine source of heat for the garage and I can sell the stinky oil furnace.

I just finished replacing the window gaskets and that ran me out of parts again, but the blower should be here tomorrow or Tues, so I can fire it up out in the garage before getting it in the house.

 

Welcome GHinNH . I see you already took our love of pictures into account.

The Introduce Yourself Page

 

Reminder to anyone needing stove parts, UPS power units, etc, etc.....tomorrow and Wed. (Oct 13 & 14) are Prime Days

 

Thanks for the reminder Pete,but once again going to use the oil beast. My pellet days are done. Might treat the house to a whole house system, hell it is treated to a wheelchair ramp so I can get in and out for a couple months might as well go whole hog.

 

Boiler gets checked out and cleaned next Tuesday, tank got its first fill today.